trailofsparks
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Posts posted by trailofsparks
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I bought a couple of simple, inexpensive piano teaching books and taught our daughter some basic things on a keyboard friends had given to us.
Both kids had inexpensive recorders and instruction books.
We listened to classical music and learned about composers by reading from library books. I bought a classical music curriculum for $30 that had lessons introducing various composers and some basic theory, too.
Both kids have sung with a local choir that follows the Royal School of Church Music curriculum. Tuition for the choir is $300 per year, and scholarships are readily available for those who can't afford it.
My son took drum lessons for almost two years for free with a local bagpipe band who was trying to recruit new members and was willing to teach.
Once we were in a position to do private lessons, my daughter took piano and then classical guitar. My son took piano and then pipe organ.
As it has turned out, both of them have come to prefer voice as their "instrument." My daughter just finished her B.A. with a minor in music (voice) and is currently teaching herself to play the ukelele. My son is still singing with the choir and is taking private voice lessons.
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Thanks for sharing. Your post has opened my mind to ideas I wouldn't have thought about, such as variety and making "something" mandatory. Maybe it's not a zero-sum game here :D
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No, we never did lessons, but, somehow, all 5 of our hs'ed dc learned to play at least one instrument on their own. I did require that they all learn how to read music via various books we owned. They did all this on their own time. School was separate.
We bought various instruments and music CD's; listened and discussed music with them; took them to hear professional musicians play sometimes; and other such things. Two of them, in particular, have dug deeply into the theory just for fun. All of them can play the piano to accompany our singing of hymms.
They all enjoy a wide variety of music and music will always be a part of their everyday lives - playing, listening, and some even compose. That's mostly what we were aiming for.
ETA: Jenny's post reminded me of something else our dc have been working on lately. They found some CD's which teach yodeling and they're learning to yodel. I sometimes hear the most God-awful sounds coming from the shop and think some animal is dying - until I realize it's one of our dc practicing their yodels. LOL
Wow, this is amazing. All on their own, wow. LOL at the yodeling story!
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If you can do it financially, I would have all three take lessons. Oldest might feel left out, and he might miss out one something he would really enjoy. Having two other piano students in the house and a good teacher may make all the difference in the world! :001_smile:
This is the way I'm leaning! I am enjoying - deeply appreciating - everyone's input. I have run the gamet in my own mind of everything everyone has said here. Things are becoming more clear to me, including the sacrifices that would be necessary for us to swing lessons for our dc. SIGH.
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It's been non-stop self-sacrifice that has led to my dc being able to enjoy music. When I attend their performances, I am not proud for myself for having dc who play well, I cry tears of happiness for them achieving so much through hard work. There aren't enough opportunities for young people to get positive feedback for working hard.
Definitely involves a lot of sacrifice. Thanks for sharing this.
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Both kids take private lessons and play with an area youth orchestra (not a homeschool group)
Back in the day, I thought about this b/c ds is very social and likes to be around peers. I can see there are certain instruments where it would be more fun to be involved in an orchestra or at least a quartet. Thx for this idea, I'll tuck it away.
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My middle started guitar at 6yo on a small acoustic then wanted to switch to an electric guitar but his hands were too small, his teacher was young and inexperienced so didn't make lessons very fun or educational, and he didn't want to practice. He took a year hiatus then we found him a better teacher. The improved maturity along with a better teacher have allowed him to blossom.
Glad you said this. I do think a good teacher can make all the difference -or maybe I've just hoped it, cuz I've seen the other end of the spectrum and I let it go on for too long. Damage has been done, but I would love to see him learn under a fun, patient teacher. I appreciate your input, it's definitely got me thinking!
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:001_smile: Your dd is awesome. :D
Btw, I so agree!
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Mandatory for 1-2 years, then optional. One of those years must be in high school for credit.
Ah, OK. I never thought of it in terms of hs credits. Thx.
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I guess I would say mandatory here but since all the kids wanted to do some form of music-and all had choir experience and piano lessons, plus older had trombone, middle had organ and self taught recorder, youngest had recorder, guitar, and trumpet, I am not sure how to answer.
I would have required some music instruction since dh thinks this was a big omission in his life that he regrets his parents didn't do. Now that I think of it, our kids wonderful slates of activities are due to mostly my dh's lack of childhood activities as he was growing up.
Yes, this is what my dh and I have thought, too.
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If finances are difficult, may I suggest Music Ace 1 & 2 (computer software that teaches notes, theory, etc. - try the library). The internet probably has lots out there - maybe you could find a message board of music teachers and ask advice. I'd also check out music students at local college/university for cheap lessons. You could use music books that with CD (to practise along with). If my dc had interest, I'd try to encourage them to learn. Playing a musical instrument is so much more difficult to learn as an adult.
I'd also check out your local public school for orchestra/band classes. Here in S. Fla we're allowed to take 2 classes at the local ps. Also the (city) children's orchestras some times offer financial aid with instruments/lessons/joining the orchestra.
Thank you for these suggestions! It's the piano that we need. Years ago, someone gave us one - I took it sight unseen, which was foolish. It needed work, a couple keys were sluggish. We ended up paying $75 to have it removed, which was a bargain. I know we can have an inspector take a look before purchasing another. . . or we can buy digital which is less expensive, but. . . well, when it comes to music, I seem to be paralyzed with ineptitude :D I am decisive when it comes to any other part of my dc's education. Hmmm. Once again the thought, "May my kids not be so incompetent as I am". Maybe I have my answer!
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Mandatory. Much like math and languages.
DD14 loves the piano and excels at it. She practices, on her own, 1-3 hours a day. She works at it also. It doesn't come easily to her.
DD15 wanted to quit last year. We didn't let her. She practices and is improving. I have to MAKE her practice 30 min a day, even now. She enjoys it more now, but she'd still quit in a heartbeat if we let her. Ironically, the piano teacher told me that this is the dd with the most natural talent she's seen.
Our current teacher left the area, so we're looking for 2 different teachers this year. 14yodd needs an experienced, driven, motivated teacher who will challenge dd. 15yodd needs a relaxed, plays-for-fun teacher who will give dd more fun pieces. Not too much challenging music, but not too easy.
Would your ds like a different instrument? Guitar or violin?
Ds12 played violin. When he started, he begged us to be able to play. He was 2 yrs old and didn't stop asking until, at age 4.5, we started him. He says he doesn't want to play any musical instrument. I see his wheelworks going when he sees a friend of his playing piano or trumpet and I wonder. But he says no, he doesn't miss it, doesn't want it.
I do like your idea of having different types of instructor for your different dc. That's a good idea: a teacher who keeps it light, makes it fun. Hmmm. Thx.
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Dh and I have gone back and forth about music lessons for our dc. Finances have been tough lately, so none of them are taking lessons currently. But, oldest took lessons for years. . . and eventually talked us out of it. He would practice, b/c we made him, but he did so compliantly. It was obvious to us that his heart wasn't in it. Well, what really stopped the lessons was when we needed to switch teachers - his instructor's impatience (frustration, probably - she knew he was capable of more and that he wasn't "into" it) became intolerable. We felt she was killing anything our ds might have to give and that an inspiring instructor was the answer for him. So, we sought out other instructors and interviewed several. None were a good fit for us, various reasons; we kinda dropped the ball and never picked it back up. So, for these 2 reasons, ds has stopped music.
Enter dc #2 who wants to take music lessons, skips around whistling all.the.time. Music seems a part of her. Of all the kids, she likes to have music playing in the house. She heard the organ and decided that's what she wants to learn (but start w/piano).
Dc #3 says she wants to play piano, too.
It seems obvious to me that dc#2 should take lessons (when we are financially able). She will probably enjoy and excel. It also seems to me that dc#3 should have a shot at it to see if she enjoys it. It seems almost futile to me to make dc#1 practice 1+ hr each day when he could be doing something else productive or that he's interested in during that time. But I wonder if we are missing a good chunk of his education and if hindsight would bring regret.
I used to think everyone has at least a little music in them. I used to think my dc should all learn music theory and an instrument b/c it makes a person more well-rounded. You know, part of pursuing a classical education. Anymore, I'm not sure what to think.
If you have your dc in music is it b/c you want them to be well-rounded in their education? Or is it b/c they enjoy it? What's your position and why? I'm hoping you'll give my dh and me things to think about, and we can settle into what's right for our family. TIA!
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Ok, with all this encouragement I just posted on the local skate park's FB page. I asked them about setting up a weekly or monthly homeschool class or event. If they did that would really help!
That's great! Go get 'em! :D
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Since the extra money would help, and taking the job would secure retirement, it sounds good. A couple considerations: could you look for another job which would pay more, yet you could work even fewer hours? I understand that your dc would likely not have a classroom to do their work in, but aren't they old enough to say home for a few hours a couple days per week? Which leads me to another question: If you did take the church job and your dc stayed in the classroom to do their work, could they work in that atmosphere or would they be distracted, maybe frustrated? Just throwing out things to think about.
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Dh is defnitely involved, but informally. Here and there he'll teach them art skills (mostly sketching) or botany b/c he's into gardening. For botany, he'll read an entire chapter (Apologia) and teach while he's engaging the dc in the gardening activity. They don't realize they're learning from the text.
Dh's work schedule is not very conducive to more than this and, honestly, I am more than fine with our arrangement. I really enjoy reseaching curricula and I enjoy learning with our dc. Dh is more mathy, so he may kick in a bit more for high school math. Dh is also a history buff, so there is constant discussion. Oh, and he often has ds reading the same book that he is, so they can discuss.
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Just wanted to update. Yesterday and today have been much better. The partner DH was helping is back in town and he was very impressed. He wants DH to work with him more and is giving him some referral sources. This partner wants to help DH build his own book of business. Right now it looks like DH will be shifting his focus away from mean boss and shifting to working for the other partners. The department head has also reassured DH that they want to keep him--mean boss screams at her and undermines her as well. I'm relieved that the department sees the problem as mean boss rather than my husband.
We are preparing an exit strategy, however. The first partnership vote will be in two years (not three--I keep forgetting that he was a first year on his first day of work). We're going back to a law school budget so that we can walk away from the rat race if mean boss blocks him.
Christine
Sounds like a wise plan. I was just getting ready to post, when your 2nd one came through. I was going to say, there really is no "going back". So, that's an option I wouldn't entertain at all. Just my experience. Good luck.
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I don't think you are silly. Mom and Dad live only about an hour from Joplin, and we were talking about the tornado. I mentioned that about 1 out of 50 people were injured/dead. She said that back when she was first married she lived in a town that took tornados very seriously. I guess in the previous generation a tornado came through the town and every family (extended family not immediate) lost someone. I can't even image that. I've spent some time formulating a better plan in the past few days.
I just wanted to say I love your quotes in your siggy line! So very true and good reminders.
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Thanks 3andme, I'll look into this! I appreciate it.
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I understand where they are coming from. Many aspects of gender are socially learned. But I do not agree with it and think that it may ultimately be detrimental to the child.
:iagree:most definitely. Can you say CONFUSION??? :confused:
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So sorry. Praying for all.
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Very wonderful! I love that you got the school room done first, priorities :D and a catalyst for getting the other million things done so you can use your new school room. Yeah! Congrats.
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I've used GS with 2 dd's now and am very happy with it. It is a good program. I did not buy the lab kit either, but I did collect the lab supplies over the summer and put them in a box so that they were ready to use. I found that if I didn't do that ahead of time, the experiments wouldn't get done.
Also, I spent about a week or so teaching my dd how to take notes from the textbook by going through the first module with her. After that, she sailed on her own and did great.
I failed to do both of the above things (collecting supplies and teaching note taking) with first dd, so many times experiments didn't get completed, and she didn't do as well as 2nd dd because she didn't know how to study from a text book.
HTH
ABQMOM,
Yes, this is helpful input - thank you! After looking at the list, the lab supplies seem easy enough to get and I'll take your advice and put it together this summer. Also, I would not have thought to teach my ds to take notes so I appreciate your input for this idea as well. I'm getting excited for my ds! He can't wait to finally get some solid science in and I am glad for any tips to help him succeed. Thanks again.
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Music lessons: mandatory or optional for your dc?
in General Education Discussion Board
Posted
So true! Thx.